Saturday, 14 May 2011

BURNABY, BC, May 10, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The dramatic story of a B.C. couple who made a tragic wrong turn on their trip to Las Vegas offers a startling reminder of the need for road travellers to make plans and preparations before heading out on the road. The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) recommends all road travellers make and follow a plan, and take a few other precautions that will help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Plan ahead

Chart your path electronically and on paper. In addition to a GPS (Global Positioning System) device, use up-to-date maps or travel guides which can be marked up with your travel notes. Carrying printed maps will also ensure you have access to road details at all times. Make sure all adult travellers know the route ahead of time. Plan where you'll stop or stay overnight and calculate the amount of time it will take to reach each destination.

Research your route.

Check ahead for road conditions and roadwork schedules, and scan for radio stations offering local travel info. Figure out where gas stations, campgrounds and other accommodations are located along your route, then mark them on a printed map. Anyone can access BCAA's online Triptik®, a trip planning guide, free-of-charge to print out a customized map which includes details such as hotel and gas station locations along with planned construction and detours along your route.

Leave an itinerary with someone you trust.

Provide family members or friends with a copy of your itinerary and/or marked-up map. Share details about your schedule such as planned arrival times, where you plan to stop and how long you'll stay. Notify someone whenever your plans change.

Schedule regular phone calls.

Set up specific call times with friends or family so they know where you're located at all times. Try to anticipate areas where cell phone service may be unavailable. If you miss two or more scheduled calls, someone will know something may have gone wrong and can notify the authorities about your itinerary.

Carry travel medical insurance. If you're travelling anywhere outside B.C., ensure you carry adequate medical insurance for yourself and all family members in case of emergencies.

Prepare your vehicle

Give your vehicle a thorough tune-up. Get your vehicle inspected by a licensed auto repair technician at least two weeks prior to your trip to allow time for repairs. Get the following items checked: wiper blades, all fluids, tire pressure and tread, hoses and belts, brakes, and air conditioning.

Check your spare tire.

Ensure your spare tire is in good condition and properly inflated. Make sure you carry proper tools required to change a tire such as a tire iron that fits your vehicle's lug nuts, a car jack and WD-40 to help loosen rusted or tightly wound lug nuts.

Understand your GPS device.

Make sure your GPS unit works properly and is accurately calibrated. Ensure you understand how to use your GPS device by reading the manual thoroughly or contacting the GPS manufacturer or retailer to receive some training.

What to pack

...Well-stocked first-aid kit. Include bandages, gauze, pain reliever, allergy medication, antiseptic, and any other medication your family may need.

...A few light tools. Some simple tools can be used for minor vehicle repairs and can also get you out of a jam. Carry a small variety of tools such as: a roll of duct tape, screwdrivers, a hammer, an adjustable wrench, pliers, baling wire, a flashlight, a can of WD-40, and a rag.

...Emergency items. Road flares, a jug of drinking water and an emergency blanket are handy in case you have to wait a long period of time for help.

...Fully charged cell phone and car charger. Remember to pull over to a safe place to use your phone, or have a passenger place the call.

...Emergency food. Carry high energy, non-perishable, no-preparation foods that can sustain you for a long period of time.

Be prepared for winter weather. If you're travelling through the mountains you may experience winter weather conditions, despite it being spring or summer time. Carry warm clothes and boots in the cab of your vehicle or in a place that's easy to access.

For more road trip planning tips, online maps and travel books, visit bcaa.com/roadtrip. BCAA Members can also visit any BCAA location to speak with a Membership Specialist and have a BCAA Triptik® prepared and printed.

About BCAA

BCAA strives to deliver an amazing experience to its 790,000 members, providing peace-of-mind and meeting their automotive, road travel and insurance needs. BCAA is the largest organization of its kind in B.C., with $400 million in gross annual sales and a Member in one-in-four B.C. households. In addition to receiving award winning roadside assistance and insurance services, Members can also take advantage of CAA dollar rewards, insurance discounts and the Member exclusive Show Your Card & Save program. To learn more about BCAA's benefits, services and advocacy, visit www.bcaa.com.

TORONTO, May 13, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Retired Toronto Blue Jay and World Series champion Joe Carter is back in Toronto to host the 2nd Annual Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament. On June 29 more than 30-top name sports and entertainment celebrities, together with the help of sponsors, hope to raise $150,000, up from $75,000 raised last year, for the Children's Aid Foundation.

"Our first annual golf tournament was such a great success that I wanted to build on our momentum," said Carter. "The Children's Aid Foundation is a great way for me to give back to this city."

"Joe's been a great supporter of the Children's Aid Foundation and his commitment brings us one step closer to making the world a better place for our children and youth," said Len Gamache, President, Children's Aid Foundation. "The generosity of the celebrities and sponsors will give our communities' most vulnerable children access to programs that will help them reach their full potential."

Presenting sponsors for the tournament are TD Bank Group and BlackBerry. Supporting sponsors are Diesel, Toronto Star, CIBC, Callaway, CTV and Labatt. For a full list of all the sponsors, please visit www.joecarterclassic.com.

About Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament

The Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament will raise funds annually for the Children's Aid Foundation. Our goal is to deliver a fun and unique golf event that provides our guests an opportunity to network, play golf and mingle with many of the top athletes in the world, all while raising important awareness and funding for The Children's Aid Foundation.

Founded in 1979, the Children's Aid Foundation is a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of abused, neglected and at risk children in Canada. The Foundation works with child welfare agencies across the country to fund prevention, enrichment and education programming. During the last 30 years, the Foundation has raised over $100 million and helped more than one million children and youth. For more information, visit http://www.cafdn.org/

Monday, 9 May 2011

TORONTO, May 9, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today, Canada's National Tower announced the imminent opening of its new extreme attraction, EdgeWalk at the CN Tower. The first of its kind in North America, EdgeWalk is the world's highest full circle hands-free walk on a 5 ft (1.5 m) wide ledge encircling the top of the CN Tower's main pod, 356m, (1168 ft , 116 stories) above the ground. This adrenalin-fueled experience will allow thrill seekers to walk the edge of one of the world's greatest man-made wonders beginning summer 2011.

"We think it's fitting that Toronto's newest attraction in 18 years should be at the city's most defining landmark," said Mark Laroche, President and CEO, Canada Lands Company, Owner and Operator of the CN Tower. "EdgeWalk is both thrilling and unique and will push visitors to their limits - literally and figuratively. This will be among Toronto's, if not the world's, greatest attractions."

Adventure lovers will walk "hands-free" in groups of six to eight, while attached to an overhead safety rail via a trolley and harness system. Trained EdgeWalk guides will encourage visitors to push their personal limits, allowing those who dare to lean back over Toronto, with nothing but air beneath them. Everyone who meets the stipulated requirements (height and weight parameters) will be welcome to experience these breathtaking open-air views of Toronto and Lake Ontario.

"During our 35th anniversary year we are excited to introduce visitors to the most exciting attraction in our history," said Jack Robinson, COO, CN Tower. "We're extremely proud of the records the CN Tower has held throughout the years, including our strong safety record. Our facilities and engineering team supervised the EdgeWalk project design and build to ensure that it is both exciting and safe."

Every aspect of EdgeWalk, from design, to build, to attraction logistics and operation has been developed with the utmost safety and security in mind. The entire experience will run 1.5 hours, with the walk itself lasting between 20 to 30 minutes.

EdgeWalk at the CN Tower will open to the public in summer 2011, with advanced ticket sales beginning by phone in June. Further information about tickets and pricing will follow. www.edgewalkcntower.ca

CN Tower

Defining the Toronto skyline, at a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches) , the CN Tower is Canada's National Tower, an engineering Wonder and Toronto's must see attraction visited by over 1.5 million people each year. 416-868-6937. www.cntower.ca

Canada Lands Company

CLC is a federal Crown corporation that optimizes the financial and community value obtained from surplus strategic properties no longer required by the Government of Canada. The company is self-financing and implements innovative property solutions to create strong and competitive communities wherever it operates. www.clc.ca

Saturday, 7 May 2011

Seve Ballesteros, a five-time major champion whose passion and gift for imaginative shot-making invigorated European golf and the Ryder Cup, has died from complications of a cancerous brain tumor. He was 54.

A statement on Ballesteros' website early Saturday said the golf great died peacefully at 2:10 a.m. local time, surrounded by his family at his home in Pedrena, in northern Spain.

Ballesteros, a two-time Masters champion and three-time winner of the British Open, was as inspirational in Europe as Arnold Palmer was in America, a handsome figure who feared no shot and often played from where no golfer had ever been. Read more story at CBC Sports

Welcome!

With almost 3,000 members, the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association is one of the largest organizations of its kind in Canada. We have a straightforward mission..."To empower older adults to be active, to be involved and to age successfully."

We are a non-profit, registered charity. The GWSA partners with the City of Guelph in the operation of the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, a state-of-the-art recreation facility.

The GWSA also operates in other locations such as the West End Community Centre, St. Paul's Lutheran Church and, in the not-too-distant future, will be a key Partner with the City in the design and use of the new South End Community Centre.

GWSA makes available some 90 organized programs, activities and services throughout the year as well as special events and public interest forums.

We are supported by the active participation of the more than 500 volunteers who make it all possible.

GWSA Golf Group

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GWSA Golf Group

If you are looking to play golf with fun loving golfers, then the Evergreen Seniors Golf group is the place for you.

Membership in the group provides an opportunity to play non-competitive golf at a variety of local courses at a discounted rate. The Evergreen Seniors Golf group plays every Monday, from the first Monday of May through to the last Monday of September. The golf season for our group concludes with a nine hole scramble and luncheon. A mini golf vacation to Niagara Falls in September is also available to members.

This is an all-inclusive club for seniors with many lady members, some husband and wife teams, some golfers that play nine holes and others that play eighteen. If you are a beginner, an average duffer or better golfer, you will enjoy the relaxed and fun atmosphere of this club.

All you need to do is be a registered member of the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association and pay a modest fee to join the golf group - for 2013, the fee is $10 + HST.